Alfa Romeo have become the ninth team to reveal when they will be launching their new car ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The Swiss based outfit confirmed that they will be pulling the covers off their 2023 challenger on Tuesday, 7th February. The car, which will be called the C43, will be launched at an event in Zurich.
Alfa Romeo will be hoping the car can build on the promising start they made to Formula 1’s new era which kicked off last season. They were regular point scorers in the first half of the season before other teams began to catch up. Nonetheless, the team managed to hold on and beat Aston Martin to P6 in the constructors’ championship.
Piloting the cars this year will be Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – the team one of four in the pit lane to stick with the same line-up and retain both drivers for this coming season.
But there changes at the top, as Andreas Seidl is joining the Sauber Group as CEO, with one of his first tasks set to be finding a team boss to replace Vasseur.
Formula 1 has confirmed that the 2023 season will consist of 23 races, as they ruled out a replacement for the Chinese Grand Prix.
The original schedule had been set for 24 events, with the race in Shanghai provisionally put down for April 16th. However, ongoing restrictions in China relating to COVID-19 meant it was not possible for F1 to go ahead with the race there.
The cancellation of the Chinese GP and with no race replacing it, it now leaves a big gap in the calendar between the Australian GP on April 2nd and the Azerbaijan GP on April 30th.
F1 did consider options to shift this around, either by moving the Azerbaijan race forward to separate it from being a back-to-back with Miami, or by finding a replacement.
However, Azerbaijan GP Chiefs were reluctant to move their event any earlier in the year because of concerns about poor weather in Baku.
Sebastian Montoya, son of ex-Formula 1 driver, Juan Pablo has joined Red Bull’s Junior Team for 2023, as he looks to follow in his fathers footsteps.
Juan Pablo spent six years competing in F1 from 2001 to 2006, initially representing Williams and then later on McLaren – taking seven victories, 30 podiums and best finish of third in the drivers’ standings.
Now, Sebastian is forging his own motorsport career and having risen up the karting ranks, made his single-seater debut in 2020, contesting in both ADAC Formula 4 and Italian Formula 4 Championships with Prema.
The Colombian-American racer stayed in both categories for the 2021 season, placing fourth overall in Italian F4 and ninth in ADAC F4, bagging his first podiums in the process.
Last year, the 17 year old added campaigns in the Asian and European Formula Regional categories, along with selected LMP2 outings in the IMSA SportsCar Championship alongside his father, as well as a points-scoring appearance in FIA F3.
Excited to announce I am now part of Red Bull’s Official Junior Team. This past year, I became part of the brand’s athletes and now we will work together for the ultimate goal: F1.
Reigning F1 World Champions, Red Bull have announced that they will hold a ‘season launch’ in New York early in February, as the team look to continue their run of success.
After winning the 2021 drivers’ championship with Max Verstappen, 2022 saw the Dutchman (15 wins from 22 races) and the outfit (17 wins) romp to both world titles, making the most of F1’s recent rule changes.
They enter the 2023 campaign as the force to beat with Ferrari aiming to offer a more sustained challenge this time out, as well as Mercedes bid to join them in the fight.
Running power units developed under their own in-house Red Bull Powertrains operation, the team will field an unchanged driver line-up, with Max committed through 2028 and Sergio signed until 2024.
However, there will be one new addition for the upcoming season, as former driver Daniel Ricciardo returns in a third driver role.
Williams have revealed that Mercedes, strategist James Vowles will take the place of Jost Capito as their new team boss.
Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison both left Williams in December, following a 2022 season in which the team placed at the bottom of the F1 constructors’ standings having scored just eight points.
Vowles has enjoyed a 21-year career in F1, representing the Silver Arrows since 2010 and serving as their Motorsport Strategy Director over the last four years. He previously held key engineering and strategy roles at Mercedes, Brawn GP, Honda and BAR.
Vowles, who also worked with Williams Brand Ambassador Jenson Button during their title-winning days at Brawn, will be joining the Grove operation on February 20th ahead of the 2023 season opener i Bahrain.
I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It’s an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge. Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. The team has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks.
Vowles on his new role.
We are delighted to welcome James to Williams Racing. He is one of the most highly respected talents in Formula 1 and will bring performance. He has been a key part of some of the most impressive feats in the sport over the past 15 years. As we continue our relentless pursuit for results, we believe that the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to ensuring we have energetic, experienced, and strong leadership as we move into the next phase of transforming Williams Racing.
Mercedes have confirmed when their 2023 F1 car will be launched, with the Silver Arrows pushing to return to their regular winning ways.
Mercedes racked up seven drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ titles from 2014 to 2021, having initially mastered the turbo-hybrid regulations, but major changes to the 2022 technical rules, saw them struggle with a trouble W13 package.
It took the team most of the season to get on top of porpoising, and to get on terms with rivals Red Bull and Ferrari, allowing George Russell to lead home Lewis Hamilton in a break through one-two at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
After a busy winter, Mercedes will be hoping they can score consistent wins with the new W14, which will be launched on February 15th, one day after rivals Ferrari.
Russell and Hamilton will continue as team mates for a second season in 2023, whilst Mick Schumacher takes up the reserve driver role.
At the end, it comes back to the sentence, ‘The days we lose are the days our competitors will regret’, because we learn the most. Hopefully the future will be proof of that. With our learnings, the values in the team, the empowerment and the no blame culture, I think we will be back in a more potent form next year – hopefully winning races on merit and fighting for the championship. But is it a given? Certainly not.
Toto Wolff, speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast.
Williams have shared plans for a season launch – during which they will be showing off their 2023 livery – as the team looks to climb off the foot of the F1 standings this year.
Amid a challenging run of form, Williams have classified last in four of the last five seasons (P8 in 2021 being the exception), with the 2022 campaign yielding only eight points.
Looking towards 2023, the Grove operation will stage a pre-season launch event on their official website at 14:00 GMT of February 6th, in which Alex Albon and new team mate, Logan Sargeant will be on hand to show off the team’s 2023 colours.
Williams are one of the several squads to field a revised driver line-up this year, with the American rookie, Sargeant replacing Nicholas Latifi after finishing fourth in the 2022 F2 standings.
Alongside a revised driver pairing, Williams will head into 2023 under a new team boss, with Jost Capito having departed late last year amid a merry go round of managerial changes – though his replacement is yet to be announced.
It’s a huge honour and a dream come true to be given this opportunity to compete in Formula 1 with Williams Racing. A massive thank you to every person at Williams Racing and (owners) Dorilton Motor Sports for the support they’ve given me since the day I first joined the team at the 2021 United States Grand Prix. Being a part of the Williams Driver Academy for the past year has given me an important platform to develop as a driver and prepare me for this next chapter. I’m ready and excited to be a part of this journey as the team looks to progress up the grid.
Franco Colapinto has become the latest signing to the Williams Driver Academy.
The Argentine competed in his rookie FIA Formula 3 campaign last year, finishing 9th in the drivers’ championship with Van Amersfoort after several stand-out performances across the season, including his debut in Bahrain.
The 19 year old captured the Spanish F4 title in his first full season of single-seater racing in 2019, where he took 11 race wins. He drove in both Formula Renault Eurocup and Toyota Racing Series in 2020, finishing third in both series with three victories and 17 podiums combined.
For his second FIA F3 season, Colapinto switches from VAR to reunite with MP Motorsport. The 19 year old took part in the post season test with the team last year, achieving 248 laps at Jerez and ending the test with the fastest time on the third and final day.
It’s a real honour to join Williams Racing as an Academy Driver. They are one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history and I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of my fellow countryman Carlos Reutemann. It’s an incredible opportunity for which I am forever grateful. Thanks to everyone at Williams for putting their trust in me. I am also excited to announce that I will be back with MP Motorsport for the 2023 FIA F3 season. I really enjoyed my time with the team in Eurocup and FRECA and we achieved some great results together. The goal is to reach even higher this time. My first year in FIA F3 was all about learning and I will use all the knowledge I’ve gathered to aim for the title next year. I am grateful to everyone who made this possible. Bullet Sports Management, YPF, ROFGO Racing, and of course, my beloved country Argentina. Thank you for all the support. I can’t wait to get the season started.
Colapinto on joining the Academy and his new seat.
We’re delighted to welcome Franco to the Williams Racing Driver Academy. His career achievements since starting karting highlight Franco’s natural ability behind the wheel and what he’s capable of in the years to come. He had a standout rookie season in Formula 3 with several strong performances that led to podiums and wins. We look forward to working closely with Franco to support and nurture his development as a driver.
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams Racing.
McLaren will launch their next Formula 1 challenger in mid-February after hiding the news in an image on social media.
The team that finished fifth in the 2022 constructors’ champion will unveil their 2023 car due to be driven by Lando Norris and rookie, Oscar Piastri on February 13th at the McLaren Technology Centre.
McLaren’s former Team Principal, Andreas Seidl left the team at the end of the 2022 season to join Sauber as Chief Executive Ofdicer, whilst Andrea Stella steps up to the role.
The outfit announced the news of the car launch on Twitter having hidden the date on a sticky note in one of their images…
I’m looking forward to being able to show what I have, but also there’s undoubtedly going to be things to learn along the way, and I think Lando’s a very strong team mate to be able to learn from. I think it’ll be a good working relationship. We’re both quite similar in age, we’ve got a few friends in common, like I said, so I’m confident that we’ll be able to work well together and hopefully bring the whole team more towards the front of the grid – that’s the aim.
Andretti Global and General Motors have announced plans to enter a new Formula 1 team in the coming years under the latter’s Cadillac brand.
Andretti revealed last February that it was planning to open an F1 operation in the future, and spent much of the 2022 season discussing the possibility of expanding the field with the existing 10 teams.
The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed on Twitter last week, that he had asked his team to look at starting the process for expressions of interest from potential new F1 teams, marking a first step to expanding the current 20 car grid.
In an announcement made last Thursday, Andretti and General Motors revealed their plan to enter an “all-American team” in response to the FIA’s calls for expressions of interest as an Andretti Cadillac team.
The potential team would initially receive a power unit supply from another engine manufacturer, but both Andretti and Cadillac are set to offer technical support as part of a collaboration.
The team would operate chiefly out of the new Andretti Global headquarters that is under construction in Fishers, Indiana due to start operations in 2025. A satellite facility would also operate out of Europe for the team, as well as aiding with Andretti’s other racing interests.
F1 has not had a new team since Haas joined the grid in 2016, but there is understood to be interest from a number of parties about joining the field in the future.
The process for Andretti and Cadillac to join the grid is one that requires the support of F1 itself and the current teams, only two of which have been publicly supportive of Andretti’s plans amid concerns of the potential financial impact.
Any new teams which join the F1 field is required to pay a $200 million fee as a dilution fund that is split between the current grid to make up for splitting the teams’ payouts with another entrant.
Since first discussing plans to join the F1 grid, Andretti has been vocal about wishing to field an American driver in one of its seats, namely Colton Herta who races for Andretti Autosport in IndyCar.
We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next. feel that we are well suited to be a new team for Formula 1 and can bring value to the series and our partners, and excitement for the fans. I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal. GM and Andretti share a legacy born out of the love of racing. We now have the opportunity to combine our motorsport passions and dedication to innovation to build a true American F1 bid.
Michael Andretti, the chairman and CEO of Andretti Global.
Alpine have announced the launch date for their 2023 Formula 1 car, which will be called the A523.
The Enstone/Viry-based constructors fourth in the championship with their 2022 car, the A523 and will field an all-French line-up this season with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly at the wheel – as Fernando Alonso has departed for Aston Martin.
This year’s Alpine, A523 will be launched on February 16th in London with the team confirming on social media.
Gasly who joins from AlphaTauri, tested the A522 at Yas Marina Circuit after the 2022 season had concluded and said at the time : “Firstly, thanks to the entire team for making me feel so welcome over the last two days and I’m feeling ready to begin this next chapter in my career. I’m looking forward to visiting everyone at Viry and Enstone, debriefing on this test, before working towards our objectives alongside Esteban for the 2023 season.”
The team’s CEO Laurent Rossi said that their P4 in the standings in 2022 was an important step for the constructors as they look to push on towards fighting for the championship. “I mean, it’s always better to finish P4 than P5, no doubt. At the beginning of the season, the goal was to put a new structure in place, which we did, that structure was supposed to deliver innovations, upgrades throughout the entire season, to be more competitive, which we did, which culminate, ultimately in a better position, which we are very close to be doing. So, it is important, not just financially but also for the momentum. We said we would try and progress every year to catch up as much as we can with the top teams. It’s important not to miss the first step. Hopefully, we’re going to get there.”
Alpha Tauri have announced they will be holding a launch event in New York City to reveal their new livery for the 2023 season.
Alpha Tauri are the third team to announce as Aston Martin and Ferrari have confirmed their launches for their new challengers – but Alpha Tauri will be the first out of the teams to show the car’s colour scheme at least.
The AT04 will be raced by Yuki Tsunoda, where it will be his third year in Formula 1 and rookie Nyck de Vries who replaces Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly.
Former Formula 2 and Formula E Champion, De Vries was Mercedes reserve driver and stepped in last minute to replace Williams driver, Alex Albon when he was struck down with apendicitis at the Italian Grand Prix.
De Vries immediately looked at home, qualifying P13 and racing to a points finish of P9 on his debut – a performance so impressive that shortly afterwards he was signed up for a full time seat alongside Tsunoda.
Ferrari have became the second team to announce the launch date for their 2023 Formula 1 car.
Aston Martin was the first F1 squad to confirm when the covers would be coming off their new car, and now have revealed their 2023 challenger will be unveiled to the world on February 14th.
The car currently goes by project number 675 but has no official name yet.
Ferrari’s last car the F1-75 returned the team to winning ways after a fallow couple of the season for the team. The Scuderia had not won a race since 2019 but Charles Leclerc took two victories from the first three races in 2022 to put himself and the team right back in title contention.
Ultimately, that challenge fell short as Max Verstappen and Red Bull swept to victory in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will continue as team mates at Ferrari for the third consecutive season, but it’s all change at the top after Scuderia recently appointed ex-Sauber head, Frederic Vasseur as Team Principal.
The Scuderia last won the constructors’ championship in 2008 and have since finished runners up six times.
Aston Martin has become the first Formula 1 team to announce the launch date for their new 2023 car.
The 2022 season might have finished only a few weeks ago but the teams are already working hard on preparations for next year, with the new cars having been in development for months now.
And Aston Martin are the first to announce when the world will get the first glimpse of their new challenger, which will be called the AMR23 on Monday, February 13th at 7pm GMT.
Aston Martin have finished seventh in the constructors’ championship in the last two seasons, and will be hoping for a big step forward in 2023, especially with a host of new personnel bedding in at the team.
The AMR23 will be the first Aston Martin to be piloted by Fernando Alonso, with the two time world champion joining the team for next year after two seasons at Alpine. The Spaniard will partner team mate Lance Stroll and replaces Sebastian Vettel who spent two years with the team after leaving Ferrari.
The all woman F1 Academy series have confirmed the team line-up for the inaugural campaign in 2023.
Five veteran outfits in junior categories have confirmed their entries for next year with ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Carlin, MP Motorsport and PREMA Racing fielding three cars each to comprise the 15 car grid.
Each team has an established history in junior racing including the Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships, and will now be adding the all-women driver category to their motorsport setup from next year.
F1 Academy focuses on young women drivers emerging in the junior ranks and aiding them in progressing to the higher levels of single seater racing.
The first season will include seven events and with such experienced teams forming the ’23 line up, the drivers will gain vital experience both in and out of the car, helping each achieve their full potential.
It is exciting to be able to announce the five teams that will be racing in the F1 Academy for next year and who will be providing this fantastic opportunity to the young and talented women to begin their journey into competitive motorsport. We believe it is important that everyone has the chance to follow their ambitions and get the support and guidance needed to progress and excel. The F1 Academy is an important part of our plan to increase diversity and representation in motorsport and we are looking forward to the first season in 2023 and stay tuned for more news in this area.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
I am very pleased to reveal the five teams entering the F1 Academy for the next three-year cycle, starting from 2023. We know them very well and we have been collaborating with each one for many years. They are well-known for their experience and expertise in nurturing and developing young drivers. I fully trust that they will give the drivers competing in the F1 Academy the keys to grow technically, and that they will help them with the physical and mental preparations for the journey ahead.
Mercedes have confirmed that Mick Schumacher will be taking on the role of reserve driver for 2023, following his departure from Haas.
2020 F2 Champion Schumacher, contested two seasons with Haas, but was moved aside in favour of Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 – the team preferring the 181 Grand Prix worth of experience of Schumacher’s compatriot to help them move further up the midfield.
Following the news of Schumacher’s exit from Haas, Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff was open about wanting to “look after” the German as he pointed to his family’s links to Mercedes.
With both of Mercedes reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne having found berths at Alpha Tauri in a race seat and Aston Martin as a reserve for next year, it was the given that the team would be needing a new reserve driver.
It had been thought Daniel Ricciardo might take up the role, before it was confirmed in November that the Australian would return to the Red Bull team.
Meanwhile, Ferrari announced that they are ending their collaboration with Schumacher after four years, having joined the driver academy of the team his father won five of his seven world titles for, back in 2019.
Mick is a talented young driver and we’re delighted to have him join the team. He is a hard worker, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver. These are all important qualities, and we’re excited for him to help us develop the W14. We also know that with two years of experience racing in Formula 1 under his belt, he will be ready to step into the car at short notice to replace either Lewis [Hamilton] or George [Russell], should that need arise.
Toto Wolff on signing Mick.
I am thrilled to be part of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team as their reserve driver for 2023, and I am committed to give it my all to contribute to their performance in this very competitive and professional environment. I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to Toto and everybody involved for putting their trust in me. F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.
McLaren have promoted from within by handing Executive Director of Racing Andrea Stella the role of Team Principal for 2023, following the departure of Andreas Seidl to the Sauber Group.
Stella has been with McLaren since 2015, first working as Head of Race Operations before being promoted to Performance Director and then his most recent role as Racing Director.
Before joining McLaren, Stella worked at Ferrari for 15 years, taking on the role of performance engineer for Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen and then racing engineer for Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.
I’m delighted that Andrea Stella will step into the Team Principal role and lead our F1 technical and operational programme. Andrea is a highly talented, experienced and respected member of our team with a strong track record of leadership and success in Formula 1. His move into this role is a great example of the strength in depth we have in our team, and I’m excited to be working more closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races. I’ve really enjoyed working with Andreas. He has provided great leadership for the team and has played a significant part in our F1 performance recovery plan and ongoing journey to return to the front of the grid. I thank him for the transparency throughout the process which gave us time to plan accordingly.
Zak Brown, on the latest news.
I feel privileged to take on the Team Principal role as the next stage of being part of the McLaren F1 Team. I am grateful to Zak and the Shareholders for their trust in me and to all my colleagues and those who have supported me throughout my F1 career. We are realistic about the amount of work ahead of us to move back up the grid, but I am excited and encouraged that I am in this journey together with a team full of talent, experience, racing spirit and dedication. I look forward to working closely with each of them, Lando and Oscar, to together achieving great success and enjoying the journey.
Fred Vasseur will be leaving his role as Alfa Romeo Team Principal and Sauber Motorsport CEO in January 2023, after six years with the Swiss operation.
Vasseur first joined Sauber in 2017 with the team 10th and last in the constructors’ championship, and set about rebuilding and growing the famous marque.
They’ve taken on Alfa Romeo as a title sponsor and secured the team’s best constructors’ championship finish in a decade with sixth this season.
The Frenchman, also played a key role in the deal that will see Audi enter Formula 1 in 2026 by making Sauber their factory team.
As I prepare to bring my adventure at Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN to an end, I can look back fondly at these six years together. I owe a debt of gratitude to every single employee of the team, as they are the ones who got this team back on their feet and climbing the ladder of our sport. I am proud of the job we collectively have done as a team and a company, and even more so of the strong foundations we have laid for what’s to come next: but what I am the proudest of is the people that made this all possible, which in time have become friends. This team will always feel like home and I’ll be rooting for it wherever I go. I have learnt so much during my stint as a CEO and Team Principal and I feel each day has equipped me for what is to come. I know Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN will keep going from strength to strength and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete at the business end of the grid in the next few years.
Fred Vasseur on leaving the team.
Ferrari have appointed Fred Vasseur as Team Principle with the Alfa Romeo boss and Sauber Motorsport CEO replacing Mattia Binotto from January 2023.
Following weeks of discussions, Vasseur decided to end his six year tenure at Sauber and join Ferrari in what is one of the biggest – if not the biggest job in motorsport.
Vasseur brings with him more than two decades’ worth of motorsport experience, including a stint as team boss at Renault during the 2016 campaign.
We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our Team Principal. Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams. This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.
Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna.
I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal. As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me. I look forward to working with the talented and truly passionate team in Maranello to honour the history and heritage of the Scuderia and deliver for our Tifosi around the world.
Williams Team Principal, Jost Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison are to leave the team, the British squad have announced.
Owners, Dorilton Capital temped Capito out of retirement to head up the operation after acquiring the team from the Williams family in 2020.
Capito set about rebuilding the team – and this included bringing in Demaison – with whom he worked at Volkswagen on the rally project – to head up the technical side.
The 2021 campaign was a step forward for Williams, with George Russell taking a podium as they ended up eighth in the constructors’ championship – but this season they fell back to 10th and last, scoring just eight points.
It has been a huge privilege to lead Williams Racing for the last two seasons and to lay the foundations for the turnaround of this great team. I look forward to watching the team as it continues on its path to future success.
Jost Capito on the news.
We would like to thank Jost for his hard work and dedication as we embarked on a major transformation process to begin the journey of reviving Williams Racing. We’re grateful that Jost postponed his planned retirement to take on this challenge and now he will pass the reins on for the next part of this staged process. We would also like to thank FX for his contribution and wish him all the best for his future as he moves on.
Formula 1 will continue to race at Zandvoort until 2025 after a new deal between F1 and the Dutch track was announced.
The new agreement adds on two more races to the original three-year contract, which began in 2021 when the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar for the first time since 1985.
The race at the seaside circuit has quickly become one of the best loved on the calendar with the enthusiastic Dutch fans which bring a fantastic atmosphere to the track at both the 2021 and 2022 events – both of which were won by home hero, Max Verstappen.
And at the 2023 race in late August – the fans will have two Dutch drivers to cheer on with former Formula 2 champion, Nyck de Vries joining the grid full time next season with AlphaTauri.
One of the key focuses for the event has been sustainable travel for fans, and at this years race, 99% of general admission ticket holders made their way to the circuit by public transport, bike or walking.
The Dutch Grand Prix has quickly established itself on the calendar as a fan favourite, bringing incredible energy and a great fan experience every year. The sold-out events in the last two years have raised the bar in terms of organisation, entertainment, and sustainability, and we are delighted to extend our relationship with them. There is huge demand to host F1 races so it is testament to what the team have done to cement Zandvoort on the calendar until 2025, and we can’t wait to return next summer.
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1.
We are looking forward to the upcoming Grands Prix. With great races in which Dutch fans can now enjoy no less than two Dutch drivers. Of course, we will again offer an extensive and surprising entertainment program. With this we are again offering the ultimate race festival. We want the world to experience again how we as the Netherlands organize an event. It is unique that we are on the calendar with world cities like Las Vegas, Monaco, and São Paulo. And as we say internally, we are ‘Ready for Tomorrow’. We need and want to put on the F1 event of the future, which is not necessarily bigger but better, more engaging, more innovative, more sustainable, and more inclusive.
Jan Lammers, former F1 driver and now Sporting Director of Dutch GP.
Zane Maloney has become the newest member of the Red Bull Racing Junior driver programme, as well as serving as one of the team’s reserve drivers for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Maloney finished the 2022 FIA Formula 3 season second, just five points off winning the championship in his rookie season. Driving for Trident, he rebounded from a tricky start to the year in style, capping off his maiden campaign in F3 with three consecutive Feature Race victories but fell just short of the title at Monza.
Maloney was 2019, British F4 Champion with Carlin before making the switch to Euroformula Open for 2020, where he finished the season 8th. In 2021, the Bajan driver moved to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, He took one win, as well as a further seven podiums on the way to finish fourth in the standings.
Following the end of the 2022 F3 Championship, he took part in the post-season Formula 2 test with Carlin alongside fellow Red Bull Junior, Enzo Fittipaldi. Maloney finished the three-day event at Yas Marina Circuit with 246 laps under his belt.
I am thrilled to announce that I will be a part of the Red Bull Racing Junior Team and F1 Reserve Driver in 2023. I am grateful for the opportunity and support, and look forward to getting the season started.
Formula 1 has revealed the venues that will be playing host to the six F1 Sprint weekends during the 2023 campaign, with the number of events doubling for the three staged in 2021 and 2022.
F1 Sprint sees the standard one- hour qualifying session shifted to Friday, setting the grid for a 100-kilometre dash on Saturday, which in turn sorts the starting order for Sunday’s main event.
Next year the Sprints will be held in:
Azerbaijan (Baku City Circuit)
Austria (Red Bull Ring)
Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Qatar (Lusail Circuit)
United States (Circuit of The Americas)
Sao Paulo (Interlagos).
Interlagos continues as a sprint venue after playing host in 2021 and 2022, whilst the Red Bull Ring also featured the revised format last season. Silverstone, Monza and Imola are the other venues to have hosted Sprints in the past.
The 2023 selection came following research into the most suitable tracks for the format, including overtaking opportunities, close racing and high-speed sections and is designed to ensure competitive on track action across all three days of the selected Grand Prix weekends.
F1’s financial regulations have also been tweaked, as the sports governing body the FIA announced the teams; cost cap allowance for each sprint will double from next year onwards from $150,000 to $300,000 – though there will no longer be any further allowance for accident damage sustained in the Sprint events.
We have seen a hugely positive reaction to the F1 Sprint events during the first two years of its running, and we can’t wait to bring even more action to fans with six events next year, including our first US F1 Sprint in Austin. The introduction of the F1 Sprint has created a race weekend that includes three days of competitive racing action and brings more entertainment to fans of the sport as well as additional value for key stakeholders including teams, broadcasters, partners, and host venues.
McLaren have announced that IndyCar champion, Alex Palou will serve as one of their Formula 1 reserve drivers for the 2023 season.
The team said Palou will provide support for the F1 outfit alongside his driving duties in IndyCar, and be available as a reserve driver for all Grand Prix events that do not conflict his IndyCar commitment, should either Lando Norris or new recruit Oscar Piastri be unavailable to drive.
The 25 year old Spaniard previously took part in a free practice session at the 2022 United States Grand Prix with McLaren, as well as piloting the MCL35M in Barcelona and Spielberg as part of the team’s driver development testing programme.
Palou has four wins and 15 podiums in IndyCar and became the first Spanish driver to win the Championship when he claimed the 2021 title.
I’m excited to be part of the McLaren team as one of their reserve drivers in 2023. I’ve been behind the wheel of both the MCL35M and MCL36 and it has been a great experience, so I can’t wait for the involvement with next year’s car. I look forward to continuing my development as a driver and I appreciate the trust McLaren have in me with this new role next year.
Palou on his new role.
The team are pleased to have Alex on board as one of our reserve drivers for next season. He impressed with his FP1 session in Austin and his driver development tests this year. He has many notable motorsports achievements so far, particularly the 2021 IndyCar championship title so it’s brilliant to be able to expand his role in the team and we look forward to working more closely with him.
Formula 1 has confirmed that following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not be taking place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation.
The race was due to return in April for the first time since 2019, but for another year it will be cancelled. The Grand Prix was scheduled to be the fourth race of the 2023 season on 16th April.
Protests have been held in China in recent days over its ‘zero Covid’ policies, which include regular lockdowns and isolation imposed on infected people and contacts. F1 has since said that it would not be able to operate normally in China and cannot justify risks to staff involved in travelling.
The Portimao circuit in Portugal, which hosted grand prix in 2020 and 2021 when F1 shuffled its schedule as a result of the pandemic, and its currently one of the tracks under consideration to take Chinas spot.
Istanbul Park in Turkey is another track which returned in the pandemic and is also likely to be in contention.
Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.
Ferrari have announced that Mattia Binotto is to leave his position as Ferrari Team Principal at the end of the year, putting an end to weeks of speculation.
Binotto, who originally joined the team as an engine engineer back in 1995 took his current role – encompassing the Gestione Sportiva department – ahead of the 2019 campaign.
After challenging 2020 and 2021 seasons, Ferrari exploited the arrival of F1’s new regulations to emerge as a front running force claiming a one-two result with drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at the 2022 opener in Bahrain.
However, after some more early season success, Leclerc and Ferrari’s title challenges were derailed through a combination of unreliability, strategy mix ups as well as drivers mistakes – and with rival, Red Bull’s relentlessness.
Initial reports of a structural change in the Italian media were denied by Ferrari, but further speculation emerged in the wake of the Abu Dhabi season finale and the Scuderia released a statement on Tuesday morning to confirm that Binotto had resigned.
With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari. I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the conviction that I have made every effort to achieve the objectives set. I leave a united and growing team. A strong team, ready, I’m sure, to achieve the highest goals, to which I wish all the best for the future. I think it is right to take this step at this time as hard as this decision has been for me. I would like to thank all the people at the Gestione Sportiva who have shared this journey with me, made up of difficulties but also of great satisfaction.
Binotto on the news.
I would like to thank Mattia for his many great contributions over 28 years with Ferrari and particularly for leading the team back to a position of competitiveness during this past year. As a result, we are in a strong position to renew our challenge, above all for our amazing fans around the world, to win the ultimate prize in motorsport. Everyone here at the Scuderia and in the wider Ferrari community wishes Mattia well for the future.
Red Bull have confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo will be returning to the squad where he won seven Grand Prix as a third driver for 2023.
At the end of this season, Ricciardo departed McLaren to make way for compatriot Oscar Piastri, who races alongside Lando Norris in 2023. The eight-time Grand Prix winner – who took a win for McLaren at Monza in 2021 will return to Red Bull to assist with testing, simulator work and commercial activity.
The 33 year old, hinted strongly at a return to Red Bull in a reserve capacity after leaving McLaren without another full-time role set up.
The Australian made his debut for HRT in 2011, but joined the Red Bull feeder squad Toro Rosso the following year, before being called up Red Bull in 2014, there he partnered Sebastian Vettel, Daniil Kyvat and Max Verstappen.
The smile says it all. I’m truly excited to be coming back home to Oracle Red Bull Racing as their Third Driver in 2023. I already have so many fond memories of my time here, but the welcome from Christian [Horner], Dr [Helmut] Marko and the entire team is something I’m sincerely appreciative of. For me personally, the ability to contribute to and be surrounded by the best team in F1 is hugely appealing, whilst also giving me some time to recharge and refocus. I can’t wait to be with the team and support with simulator work, testing sessions and commercial activities. Let’s go!
Daniel Ricciardo on his move.
It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family. He has enormous talent and such a brilliant character; I know the whole factory is excited to be welcoming him home. In his role as test and third driver, Daniel will give us the chance to diversify, assisting in the development of the car, aiding the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed in F1. We’re very pleased to be working with Daniel again and look forward to everything he will bring to the team in 2023.
Williams have confirmed that American driver, Logan Sargeant will be stepping into a full-time race seat alongside Alex Albon for 2023, following the conclusion of the 2022 Formula 2 season.
Sargeant headed into the Abu Dhabi F2 season finale, needing to score 10 super licence points in order to meet the required threshold to compete in Formula 1 – with Sargeant easily surpassing that figure by securing P4 in the final drivers’ standings.
Therefore he met the criteria set out by Williams Team Principal, Jost Capito earlier in the year, with Williams duly handing the race seat to Sargeant, having announced in September that they would be parting company with Nicholas Latifi after three seasons.
Sargeant will become the first driver to fly the flag for the United States of American on the F1 grid since Alexander Rossi in 2015.
We’re delighted to officially announce Logan as our driver for next year after qualifying for a Super Licence following the final F2 event of the season in Abu Dhabi. Logan completes our exciting driver line-up for 2023 alongside Alex. Since joining our Driver Academy at the end of 2021, Logan has been able to fully integrate with the team at Grove while on the simulator and more recently at track during the four free practice sessions he’s participated in. He’s had a strong rookie season in Formula 2, and we are excited to watch him make the step up in Formula 1. We are here to support that journey with him.
Jost Capito on his 2023 line-up.
It’s a huge honour and a dream come true to be given this opportunity to compete in Formula 1 with Williams Racing. A massive thank you to every person at Williams Racing and Dorilton Motor Sports for the support they’ve given me since the day I first joined the team at the 2021 United States Grand Prix. Being a part of the Williams Driver Academy for the past year has given me an important platform to develop as a driver and prepare me for this next chapter. I’m ready and excited to be a part of this journey as the team looks to progress up the grid
Logan Sargeant on his 2023 seat.
To be able to give Logan the opportunity to compete in Formula 1 for Williams Racing next year after being an integral part of our Driver Academy is a proud moment for the team. Seeing a driver from the Academy getting in our F1 seat is a motivation for all the other Academy drivers and demonstrates legitimacy of the programme and the platform it provides. We are not only preparing him on track, but will be working hard over the winter off track to ensure he’s in the best possible position to start 2023.
Starting in 2023, Formula 1 will be launching an all-female driver category, the F1 Academy to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition – including W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3.
The series will consist of five teams run by current F2 and F3 teams, each entering three cars to make up a 15 car grid. The first season will comprise of seven events with three races – amounting to a total of 21 races – plus 15 days of official testing, with the 2023 calendar set to be released in due course.
The drivers will be getting behind the wheel f Tatuus T421 chassis, with Autotecnica supplying turbocharged engines that will deliver 165 horsepower while Formula 1’s Global Partner Pirelli will provide the tyres.
The series – which will be managed by the CEO of Formula Motorsport Bruno Michel – will see Formula 1 subsidise the cost of each car with a budget of €150,000 whilst the drivers cover the same amount of costs – a fraction of the usual costs in comparable series – with the teams covering the rest of the budget.
The aim of the series is to maximise the opportunity and potential of young female drivers to reach the highest level in motorsport and to provide young talent currently in go-karting or other junior categories with access to the fundamental level of experience needed before going racing in F3 and joining the pyramid to Formula 1.
Formula 1’s intentions are to ensure aspiring female drivers have the best opportunities to reach their potential, with an important first step of getting into Formula 3 and progressing through the ranks.
The W Series continues to provide a great platform for drivers and the F1 Academy is intended to add an extra route for the next generation of young female drivers, who will race in an environment that will allow them to gain fundamental experience thanks to a great amount of track time.
Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve their potential and Formula 1 wants to ensure we are doing everything we can to create greater diversity and routes into this incredible sport. That is why I am delighted to announce the F1 Academy that will give young female drivers the best chance to fulfil their ambitions through a comprehensive programme that supports their racing careers and gives them everything they need to move into F3 and hopefully to F2 and then the pinnacle of Formula 1. The more opportunity there is the better and this is designed to provide another route for the drivers to succeed.
Formula 1 President & CEO, Stefano Domenicali.
I am very excited to launch this new category. Diversity is extremely important in motorsport, and with the F1 Academy we will prove that female drivers have what it takes to compete at high levels. I am absolutely convinced that if young women are given the same amount of experience as any other driver, they can successfully make their way through the pyramid. Our goal is to see female drivers on the F3 grid in the next two to three years, and for them to quickly challenge for points and podiums. The aim is to increase the field in the near future, because we hope that this category will inspire more young girls to compete in motorsport at the highest of levels.
What a season, but more importantly the final race weekend of the 2022 season is complete which means it was Sebastian Vettel’s last race as well.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the race where it decides the runner-up this season, as well as the closeness in the Constructors too.
But it was Max Verstappen who wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix making it 15 wins in a season for the Dutchman, Charles Leclerc comes home to make it 2nd, and also second in the drivers championship too. Sergio Perez rounds out the podium, after falling short not being able to overtake the Monegasque driver.
The full top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Leclerc, P3: Perez, P4: Sainz, P5: Russell, P6: Norris, P7: Ocon, P8: Stroll, P9: Ricciardo and P10: Vettel.
First and foremost it was wonderful to see Seb get points in his last race, as well as Daniel too. Two out of four drivers leaving the sport this weekend, but managing to hold on and get points is probably more than what they could wish for!
Not the best race for Mercedes, they had their first mechanical retirement of the season, as Lewis had to pit due to loosing power because of an hydraulic issue. Their fight for P2 in the constructors was then over.
A good finish for Ferrari, after an up and down season I think they will be pretty pleased with 2nd in the drivers and constructors, there is definitely some things they need to work on if they want to be in the title fight again, but its all apart of learning.
The Championship-
Firstly looking at the Drivers championship, Leclerc finishes his highest in the championship, as well George Russell in his first year as a Mercedes driver. But one person I have to mention, Mr Lando Norris (Mr P7…) being best of the rest and beating out both Alpines.
Now taking a look at the Constructors, Alpine beat McLaren to that all important P4. Alfa Romeo manage to stay ahead of Aston Martin due to Valtteri Bottas’s 5th place in Imola. Haas finish 8th ahead of Alpha Tauri and Williams in P10.
Now, we have 105 days until the next race at the beginning of March and we obviously have testing aswell! It’s been a mad season, keep your eyes peeled for the latest news and some articles coming out soon on the 2022 season!
The final race weekend is here, and its set to be an emotional one as it will be 4 time World Champion’s Sebastian Vettel’s last race as well as saying goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo, Nicholas Latifi and Mick Schumacher…
But, there is still so much up for grabs! The fight for P2 in the Driver standings is still available, as well as the teams getting as many points as possible to see if they can move any further up!
Who needs a good weekend?
McLaren will be hoping for a good weekend as last weekend saw them have a double DNF, not only this they are in the fight with Alpine for fourth in the constructors and will be hoping for a double points finish, which would be a great way to send of the Honey Badger.
Perez will be hoping for a good weekend as Red Bull seeks 1-2 in the Constructors and will be hoping that his teammate will be helping him this time round…
The battle for 6th in the Constructors is heating up as Alfa Romeo sits in 6th on 55 points and Aston Martin in 7th on 50 points, and with Aston Martin having scored quite a few points recently so Alfa Romeo will be hoping to score big.
Predictions-
My top five predictions for qualifying are: P1: Hamilton, P2: Verstappen, P3: Perez, P4: Russell and P5: Leclerc.
I think we will see all top 3 teams in the top 10, maybe a bit mixed up. As well as Lando, Fernando and Ocon mixed up in the top 10 and possibly a Haas or an Aston Martin joining them in the top 10.
Jordan's Track Talk 